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AFTER NIGHT, 



A SUMMER-PLACE TALK, 



OTHER POEMS 



AELLA GREENE, 

AUTHOR OF "rhymes OF YANKEE LAND," AND " HAPPY DAYS AT HAMPTON.' 




\ /^/. ' 

BOSTON : 

LEE & SHEPARD. 

NEW YORK: 

LEE, SHEPARD & DILLINGHAM. 
1873- 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 

AELLA GREENE, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



CLARK W. BRYAN * COMPANY, 

SLECTROTYPERS, PRINTERS AND BINDERS, 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 



TO 

IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS INSPIRING AND SINCERE 
WORDS OF KINDNESS, 

"AFTER NIGHT." 



CONTENTS. 



AFTER NIGHT : 

PAGE. 

"Where We Have Come to Summer," ... ii 



" You Wrote Me from the City," .... 15 

"Where You First Saw the Light," ... 18 

" As We Believe Him," 23 

" Where Bright a River's Crystal Tide," ■ ■ S3 

The Achievement, 43 

Another Experience, 47 



VI CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 



Going to Gotham, 50 

Two Places, ^2 

MISCELLANEOUS: 

On Canterbury Green 6j 

" Bright in a Peaceful Valley," .68 

Clark and the Twenty-First, 70 

Three Friends, 73 

On a Twentieth Anniversary, 76 

"Too Many Hearts are Sad To-Night" ... 78 

" From Such as These, Good Lord," 80 

A Sunday at Buffalo, 84 



CONTENTS. Vll 

PAGE. 

Words to My Wife, 87 

A Majst of Providence, 89 

The River Road, 91 

The Allopaths 92 



AFTER NIGHT. 



WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER." 

"\T /TIERE we have come to summer 

Refreshing breezes blow, 
The meads are decked with flowers, 

The streamlets murmur low. 
The mountains are around us, 
Their tops against the sky. 
The mountains bold, majestic. 
That give us notions high. 

Although we think of heaven. 

These scenes have greatest worth, 

In that they make us happy 
In dwelling on the earth ; 

And willing, while we tarry. 



" WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER. 

To labor for mankind, 
And careful climb life's ladder, 
Our final good to find. 

The village is a model 

Of neatness and of thrift, 
And everything within it 

Is on the upward drift. 
The cottages are painted 

In trim, becoming style ; 
We have choice, cosy quarters, 

We better stop awhile. 

In search for health and comfort, 
I think we've planned it well. 

To sojourn at the "Mansion," 
Pas'comuck's good hotel, 



"WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER. 1 3 

Where pleasant people tarry, 

Away from " Saratogue," 
And all the rounds of fashion 

Among " the ton " in vogue. 

The ladies are conversing 

As their bright minds incline, 
Those two delightful women, 

Your wife, dear James, and mine. 
They're happy in the parlor, 

And hark ! a song they sing, 
A grand old anthem, bravely, 

To tune of royal ring. 

And here ensconced together, 

We'll cast our vision back 
The path we traveled hither. 



14 "WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER. 

And trace the devious track; 
And see through all our journey 

Day coming after night ; 
If thorns, yet still the roses, 

And all things working right. 

I readily remember 

Yours was a sadder sky ; * 
The angel me protecting 

Appeared to pass you by. 
And still you had some blessings, 

Resembling choicest gold ; 
Some days with joys were crowded, 

As full as days could hold. 



"YOU WROTE ME FROM THE CITY." 

A/'OU wrote me from the city 

That you were sad at heart, 
And thought that I might reckon 

That grieving is your art. 
But, James, have done with sorrow ; 

There's reason to be glad, 
Besides the many reasons 

That ceaseless sorrow's bad. , 

'Tis good, friend James, to see you, 

And take your hearty hand, 
And see, in spite of sorrow, 

You 're looking glad and bland. 
That you may have the courage 



i6 "you wrote me from the city.' 

To fight life's battle through, 
You should be still more joyful. 
And there's more joy for you. 

And I will entertain you, 

If you will give me leave, 
That through this happy morning 

You have no time to grieve ; 
Will speak of your good blessings, 

Predicting you some more, 
Your brightest days repeated 

In future o'er and o'er. 

We'll bid good-by to business, 
Our business be to rest ; 

And that, like other callings, 
We'll follow with good zest. 



"you wrote me from the city. 17 

When - rest is well accomplished 

Ours be some other work ; 
And so, throughout our life-time, 

There be no grain of shirk. 



WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT." 

/^~\FT hence we'll make excursions 

To Berkshire's breezy hills, 
And listen to the music 

Arising from the rills ; 
We'll gaze on Greylock's grandeur, 

And Housatonic's vale, 
For scenes of choicest beauty, 

Was never known to fail ; 

While memories of giants, 

Like Hopkins, Briggs and Dawes, 

Shall teach to work and suffer 
In every noble cause ; 

And, rambling 'round the mountains, 



" WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. I9 

Perhaps we'll come in sight 
Of that delightful village 

Where you first saw the light ; 

Where yours was pleasant study 

When August waned to fall, 
Which half the day was summer. 

Or whether autumn all; 
When harvest was completed, 

Blackberries decked the hill, 
And oxen shed their tackle 

And browsed the lot at will; 

When trees were bent with sweetings 

Around a buckwheat field, 
Affording fragrant promise 

Of an abundant yield ; 



20 "WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. 

And you believed that heaven 
Was through the upper blue, 

And thought the good departed 
No happier than you ! 

So, in our Berkshire rambles, 

We'll plan to come in sight 
Of that delightful village 

Where you first saw the light ; 
And where you passed your childhood 

And had your griefs and joys. 
In much the same proportion 

As did the other boys ; 

And where, a little later, 

Your trouble did begin ; 
And you had sore departed 



"WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. 21 

To foolishness and sin, 
Because some people doubted 

Who should have given trust, 
And all your pleasant castles 

Were crumbled into dust! 

And so my words sound strangely 

That call the village blest, 
Though there you 'gan your being. 

And there your kindred rest ! 
And yet, you make exception 

About a single case, 
Apparently sufficient 

To save the wretched place. 

To all your words of trouble 
One gave a full belief; 



22 "WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. 

By faith's refreshing sunshine 
Dispelled your clouds of grief. 

He praised you for ambition, 
Your new made plans indorsed, 

And helped into his saddle 
Whom cruel men unhorsed. 



T' 



"AS WE BELIEVE HIM." 

'HE project you remember well, 
When rested with one man 
To lift to life, or crush to death, 
A dearly cherished plan ; 

A plan to write and bless the world. 

And win enough of gold, 
To purchase books and bread and clothes, 

And shelter from the cold. 

This enterprise appeared to some 

Assumption on your part ; 
They charged you with a foolish pride 

And vanity of heart. 



24 "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." 

Some angel then directed you 

To dwelling of the squire, 
Whose kingly soul beamed from his eyes, 

As, at his parlor fire, 

He greeted you with cheerful word 
And half divined your plan ; 

And, in a world of little men, 
You found one noble man ! 

He heard your story, read you through. 

And rose unto his feet, 
And spoke the words I've often heard 

You joyfully repeat : 

"You ask me here to recognize 
That you are fit to do 



"as we believe him. 25 

The noble work you truly think 
You are adapted to. 

'And that I will, most heartily, 

And patronize you well ; 
How high your enterprise may run 
No one can fully tell. 

My social sanction, hard-earned cash, 

And prayers that God will bless, 
I give you, with my sincere faith, 

Predicting you success. 

But little in my power to do, 

I do it with my heart ; 
As you begin your long life-race, 

I'm proud to see you start ! " 



26 "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." 

Heart-felt adieus were interchanged, 
And, grateful, glad and strong, 

You left that Bethel of your life, 
Your heart uplift with song. 

The squire, for prudence noted far, 
Was queried much by some, 

Who thought this extra charity 
Had best " begin to hum." 

"And he should pay the minister. 
Or paint the old town hall, 
Or prop his neighbors' fences up, 
That were about to fall." 

And that to one whose very life 
Was given to the town ; 



"AS WE BELIEVE HIM. 2/ 

Whose quickest instinct was to lift 
A fellow fallen down ! 

One cautious neighbor, doubting, asked, 

"Why show such faith as this?" 
And quick the squire replied with force, 

"Therein I have my bliss. 

"To see this man is bound to win 
It needs no prophet's ken ; 
The gospel will be understood 
When men believe in men. 

**■ As we believe him he will be; 
If we doubt, he will fall ; 
And let us, while we're trusting him, 
Largely trust, trust him all. 



28 "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." 

"No measured kindness should be shown, 
Nor artificial cheer ; 
Much we should trust him, always bless, 
And hold his interests dear. 

"God pity those who can't believe 
Unless they see the end! 
According to the Scriptures, man. 
Where do such notions tend.? 

" Excuse me, sir, if thus I hint 
Such doubting smacks of hell ! 
But is not that where doubters go, 
As Bible teachings tell ? 

"t'ay though you are, you act the fiend! 
You laugh at this kind deed.? 



"AS WE BELIEVE HIM. 29 

Why, disbelieving, selfish man, 
I'd help e'en you in need ! 

"But, by my word, you damage more, 
In any way, this man, 
Whom and whose parents you esteem 
But worthy social ban, 

" Depend on most unhappy luck 
In all you hope or do ; 
And count on rugged hills and thorns 
Your whole hard journey through!" 

This Fay, I think, soon after died. 

And six paid mourners wept, 
And two pale poplars marked the spot 

Wherein his ashes slept. 



30 "AS WE BELIEVE HIM. 

The squire, perennial like the streams 

That sing his vale along, 
Is brighter with advancing years, 

And with his age grows strong. 



"WHERE BRIGHT A RIVERS CRYSTAL 
TIDE." 

TT THERE bright a river's crystal tide 

Descends a steep cascade, 
To drive a dozen toiling mills. 
Where useful goods are made, 

There is another village blest 

With men of enterprise, 
Whose peaceful lives, 'twixt wealth and want, 

And happy social skies, 

And lively interest in things 

Of church and neighborhood, 

And constant watchfulness for ways 

To do each other good, 
3 



34 " WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER's CRYSTAL TIDE.' 

Might well be envied by a king, 
And prompt with better ken, 

To sing the happiness and worth 
Of these great-hearted men. 

And trustful there, but trembling still, 
You asked for blessings small ; 

The noble answer ne'er shall pass 
Beyond your memory's call ; 

Nor pass from mind the happy hours 

Beneath the pleasant shade 
Of quiet streets, where cosy homes 

An Eden picture made ! 

And walking there, you planned to build 
Your work so sure and strong, 



"WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER's CRYSTAL TIDE." 35 

It should remain to bless the earth, 
A good enduring long. 

Forever shall be dear to you 

The cordial greeting said 
By one whose kindness was so wise, 

Yet free, your heart was led 

To banish doubts and live by faith, 

By trust in royal souls; 
By faith that watchful Providence, 

Who all the world controls, 

And strangely doth, at times, permit 

Some littleness in earth. 
Hath, yet, some royal contrasts made, 

In men whose ways and worth 



36 " WHERE BRIGHT A RIVEr's CRYSTAL TIDE. 

Resemble characters the bards 
To ransomed ones have given. 

And which, did all possess, would make 
This earth completest heaven. 

Unto this man each useful craft 

Appeared a noble trade ; 
No honest calling, well pursued, 

Did in his eyes degrade. 

His daily business was to drive 

The works where plows were made ; 

And in his creed and daily walk 
Great stress on smiles was laid. 

His gracious presence often cheered 
The Hampden harvest club, 



"WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE." 37 

And gave right tone to General Court, 
Assembled at the " Hub." 

For years he led the Sunday-school 

With dignity and grace ; 
Nor stories told to prompt the boys 

To learn as on a race. 

Hard by his house the village church, 

The happy Sabbath home, 
Where lovers of the good old way 

Took great delight to come. 

And you and I, one Sabbath day, 

Chanced in that house of God ; 
And reverently, with peace and joy, 

Those pleasant aisles we trod. 



38 "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER's CRYSTAL TIDE." 

We heard the pastor preach the truth 

Of every sham bereft ; 
Before him earnest Christians sat, 

And, at the preacher's left, 

The sweet-voiced organ and the choir, 
Whose faces beamed with song, 

Whose notes of praise, so "glad and free," 
Shall linger with me long! 

And to the young men's class at noon 

The village judge discoursed, 
As fittingly on Scripture texts. 

And moral truths enforced, 

As he the common law explained 
To sinners 'gainst the law; 



" WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER's CRYSTAL TIDE." 39 

And from a field of wide research 
Did useful lessons draw. 

The sun was setting as we walked 

Along the shaded street, 
And through an opening in the trees 

Beheld a vision sweet! 

The pleasant river winding bright 

A circling ridge around, 
And whispering pines and graceful elms 

The little mountain crowned. 

And still beyond a verdant plain 

Where erst the Indians were, 
Before these lands were bought by whites 

For beads, ear-rings, and fur. 



40 "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER's CRYSTAL TIDE." 

And down the river, just descried, 

Great factories arose, 
Where short the river's lesser tide 

Within a grander flows.' 

And farther up the silver stream 

The Indian Orchard place, 
Where mills are run and schools are taught 

With industry and grace. 

And where the Indians took the leap, 

In fabled days of old, 
Into the stream, o'er which, ere long- 

Shall railway trains be rolled, 

Connecting Pynchon's ancient town, 
Now smart, ambitious, wise, 



"where bright a rivers crystal tide. 41 

With towns, and lakes, and forests, where 
New Hampshire's mountains rise. 

Along this stream, above "the leap," 

A pleasant roadway runs. 
On which so happy once I walked 

In best of April suns. 

With me a toiling, sickened, man, 

Whose wise, refreshing talk, 
Gave thoughts, as though with gods and kings ! 

I had this pleasant walk. 

His patience in his constant pain. 

Content with humble lot ; 
His royal words of kindly cheer. 

His constant pining not, 



42 " WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER's CRYSTAL TIDE." 

Could but inspire me much, and drive 

The last mind cloud away, 
And radiance pour, and song call forth, 

And blissful make the day. 

How brightly danced a near cascade ; 

The birds sang overhead ! 
Joy ruled the hour ! Faith cheered me on, 

And Doubt, grim Doubt, was dead ! 



THE ACHIEVEMENT. 

/ I ^HE book was done, in pleasant verse 

On Smiths and other men ; 
And when 'twas done you had a thought 
To write it through again. 



The critics were considerate, 

Right well the volume took ; 
Rich merchants sought to grasp your hand, 

Wise teachers liked the book. 

A gunboat captain said, " Old boy, 

You have a prosperous gale ; 
You're wise enough to shun the rocks, 

I'm proud to see you sail ! " 



44 THE ACHIEVEMENT. 

Heaven bless the Hadley farmer 
Who drove straight into town 

And bought two copies of the book, 
And laid his money down, 

Remarking, " I delight to read 

A book of home-like lays. 
Rehearsing scenes of common life 

In simple, lucid phrase ; 

" A volume penned by one who sees 
A hero in a frock, 
And likes to tell the praises of 
Each mountain, rill and rock." 

A book man whose most freezing words 
So tortured you at first, 



THE ACHIEVEMENT. 45 

Who socially, and at his stand, 
Planned keen and did his worst 

To crush your enterprise with sneers, 

Seemed quite another man, 
When all his town had bought your book, 

And critics praised its plan. 

Such greetings kind ; such rosy smiles ! 

Such fawnings for your hand ; 
Three several notes so humbly put. 

And signed, "Yours to command!" 

An average aristocrat, 

Residing down at Ware, 
Addressed a note that he was glad 

Your prospects were so fair. 



46 THE ACHIEVEMENT. 

Then you recalled how once he sneered, 

And now, to make amends, 
He sought to join the numerous group 

Of your fair-weather friends. 

Their sickly praise, so overdone, 
Showed hollowness of heart ; " 

How much unlike the Squire's good words, 
" I'm proud to see you start." 

And 'mid this meant and unmeant praise 

You kept a humble mind. 
And sought in grander schemes and work 

Your joy and rest to find. 



ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. 

A BOUT the tender passion 

You had some luck unkind ; 
And yet in that deep sorrow 
Refreshing good you find. 
It grieved her much to tell you, 

"Dear James, we now must part; 
But you be good and noble 
And show a manly heart. 

' I wish that I could wed you, 

But that may never be ; 
And, in the great hereafter, 

That I am true you'll see. 



48 ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. 

I'm going to teach a mission 
For cast-off girls and boys ; 

Therein is my ambition, 

And there I'll have my joys. 

" I'll never wed another, 

And you are free to love ; 
Choose some delightful maiden ; 

We three will meet above ! " 
You chose again, dear comrade, 

With wisdom in your choice ; 
And at the happy marriage 

Your friends had right rejoice. 

The other one is busy 

Her mission field to keep, 



ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. 49 

But prays each day that angels 

Forbid you cause to weep. 
Your wife is true and loving ; 

You walk together well ; 
And noble things about her 

You always have to tell. 

4 



. GOING TO GOTHAM. 

/"^NCE on important business 

You drove to Gotham down, 
At first all things went wrongly ; 

It seemed a drear old town. 
Each man you met was stubborn, 

No one could see like you; 
And still you thought " in some way 

I'll fight this business through." 

You left the city thinking 

The omens augured well ; 
And felt assured when passing 

The rocks at New Rochelle, 



GOING TO GOTHAM. 5 1 

That brighter days were dawning, 

And you were on the track ; 
With promise of good progress, 

And no more sUding back. 

Although but little headway 

The train, at times, has made, 
With scarce the power to forward 

The coaches up the grade; 
You still have been advancing. 

Have reached the town at last. 
With many friends to greet you, 

And skies of pleasant cast ! 



TWO PLACES. 

PORGIVING my rejoinder- 
Dear friend, you paint a view 
Of life's wed sweet and bitter, 

As it appeared to you ? 
For that it little matters ; • 

Your healthy words of cheer 
Fill this auspicious morning 

With hopes forever dear. 

True, James ; near yours my birthplace, 

Where I may never be 
And not desire to journey 

That place no more to see. 
As there my noble parents 



TWO PLACES. 53 



Had want and scornful laugh ; 
And there life's cup of bitter 
My lips were forced to quaff. 

But still the place was lovely ; 

Some people were quite kind ; 
The others I will pardon 

When they may feel inclined. 
It is not wise nor manly 

To nurse our griefs too long ; 
Let's seek the pleasant parlor, 

And hear the ladies' song. 

We four, to-day, will journey. 
So as to come in sight 

Of that delightful village 

Where you first saw the light; 



54 TWO PLACES. 

Where winding hill-side roadways, 
And purling, limpid streams. 

Cool groves, and breezy hill-tops, 
Excel our brightest dreams; 

And where abides a tanner, 

A man urbane and true ; 
Who rose to estimation, 

These western counties through; 
The while his polished partner 

Ruled well the Commonwealth, 
Full careful of the treasures 

And of the public health. 

Although a central railway 

Teems with its thundering trains, 
The place is blest with quiet 



TWO PLACES. 55 

As were Arcadian plains. 
The psalmist had sung grander; 

Inditing here his psalm, 
And found for griefs and trouble 

Sufficient grace and balm. 

These scenes a Yankee school-girl 

Has painted finely grand ; 
The woman should have praises 

Throughout our Yankee land. 
And here may still this artist 

Depict the pleasant scene 
Of rock, cascade, and forest. 

And hillside dressed in green. 

Arrived, we'll seek the dwelling 
Of that kind-hearted man, 



56 TWO PLACES. 

Who helped you to accomplish 
Your dearly cherished plan. 

With thanks for that first kindness 
Which ever will be new, 

Ours be a hearty promise 
To fight life's battle through. 









pi. PF 




WHERE PLEASANT PEOPLE TARRY." 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



ON CANTERBURY GREEN* 

'T^HROUGHOUT the land, from east to west, 

No more inviting scene, 
Along the streams, and on the plains, 

And all the hills between, 
Than cheers the hearts of country folk 

On Canterbury Green, 

When summer sunset mellowness 

Rests kindly on the place, 
And tired toilers, from the fields, 

Their homeward journey trace ; 
And, at the evening meal, glad hearts 

Devoutly utter grace. 

* Canterbury, Ct. 



62 ON CANTEKBUKV GRIiEX. 

The little smithy blazes still, 
The " great " elm tree is nigh, 

Rock maples sliade the " Blackhill " road, 
The Quinneboag floats by ; 

And citizens for factories 
Still unsuccessful try. 

The score of dwellings are the same 

As in the days of yore ; 
The school is undeserted yet, 

The all important " store " 
Holds still the post, and gossips there 

Still tell their stories o'er. 

There calico, and crockery, 

And picture-books are seen, 
And ribbons still are sold, to deck 



ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 63 

The girls of sweet sixteen, 
And candy red, to please the boys 
Of Canterbury Green. 

Although the " training days " are gone, 

And husking bees are few. 
And old-time ways of dress and calls 

Have given place to new, 
And many faces known of yore 

Are sleeping 'neath the yew, 

Good people still inhabit here, 

And thrift and peace are seen, 
As when, a hundred years ago, 

The pioneers, I ween, 
l^roke turf on old Westminster hill 

And Canterbury Green. 



64 ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 

The people yet are well aware 
What ancient " meetings " mean ; 

The order is two sermons now, 
With "nooning" wedged between, 

Within the church that still remains 
On Canterbury Green. 

And where the neighbors worship yet 

On good Westminster hill, 
The old style gospel preaching lasts. 

The ancient singing still : 
And much we hope, in future years, 

This service ever will. 

In spite of all, there lingers still, 

And ever will be seen, 
A shade at which "all hands" were scared 



ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 6$ 

And showed their foolish spleen, 
Famed Prudence Crandall's colored school, 
On Canterbury Green. 

Far back in eighteen thirty-three, 

Town meetings fierce were seen 
Within the galleries of the church 

On Canterbury Green ; 
And speeches, A. T. Judson made, 

Complete, close put, and keen, 

Against importing negroes there, 

To learn to read and spell : 
That were unchristian and unwise, 

In no case was it well ; 

In fact, they all, by vote, agreed, 

The business smacked of hell. 
5 



66 ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 

Although the school was broken up, 
.The "cause" good progress made, 
And now the Canterbury folk, 

Of every name and grade, 
Desire their parents' foolish ways 

From memory to fade. 

But last it will, that colored fuss 

Of eighteen thirty-three ; 
And yet we'll think that good may still 

At Canterbury be ; 
And thank the Lord that colored folks 

Throughout the land are free. 

In other towns much foolishness 

And inconvenient spleen, 
And other pale folks to the blacks 



ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 6^ 

Behaved as small and mean, 
As they who spoiled the colored school 
On Canterbury Green. 

While Yankee Doodle is our song, 

And stars and stripes are seen. 
May Canterbury folk have peace, 

And keep their record clean. 
And everybody speak good words 

Of Canterbury Green. 



BRIGHT IN A PEACEFUL VALLEY." 

T) RIGHT in a peaceful valley 

A happy village sweet,* 
Where homes of joy are ranged along 
A maple shaded street. 

There dwells a manly merchant 

Who kindly deigned to feed, 
And gave a cordial, friendly word 

To stranger man in need, 

When through Otsego county, 
Within the Empire State, 

* Worcester, N. Y. 



" BRIGHT IN A PEACEFUL VALLEY." 69 

All tired, disconsolate and faint, 
He came one autumn late. 

He tells to me his story 

And asks that I rehearse, 
The deed and his felt gratitude; 

But I have not the verse 

To paint aright the village, 

Within the Empire State, 
Wherein this manly neighbor dwells 

Whose kindness makes him great. 



CLARK AND THE TWENTY-FIRST. 



^T rHEN Colonel Clark of Amherst 
Was major in the field, 



Contending in the Southland 



To make the rebels yield, 
The general said, " Brave major, 

You and the Twenty-first 
Must charge the rebels yonder, 

Where they will do their worst." 

Then prompt the major uttered 
The simple answer, " Yes ! " 

And bravely they moved forward 
Whom we delight to bless. 



CLARK AND THE TWENTY-FIRST. /I 

And there, upon famed Roanoke, 

Clark and the Twenty-first 
Discomfited the rebels, 

Who did their bitter worst. 

And in the rebel stronghold 

The Bay State flag was placed, 
And bright a starry banner 

The rebel fortress graced. 
And through much more of fighting 

Clark and his men were true ; 
They went forth strong a thousand, 

They came a war-worn few ! 

The angels kept the leader 
Who dared the thickest fight. 



72 CLARK AND THE TWENTV-FIRST. 

And fought to hold the colors 
And keep our honor bright. 

Then much the rebels hated, 
And often since have cursed, 

Whom we delight to honor, 
Clark and the Twenty-first. 

God bless all gallant soldiers 

Who battled for the flag, 
And aided in the conquest 

Of Davis, Lee, and Bragg. 
And, through our glorious future, 

A song to all who erst 
In bravery resembled 

Clark and the Twenty-first! 



THREE FRIENDS. 

nr^HESE lines to three devoted friends 

Whom I can not forget, 
In all the ups and downs of life, 
Till life's last sun shall set : 



The probate judge at Franklin's shire, 

A man of grace and grit, 
Who, by his learning and his worth 

Is for his station fit ; 

A tall, strong miller, wise, and built 
With sunshine in his heart, 



74 THREE FRIENDS. 

Residing in South Hadley, near 
A pleasant school of art ; 

A Lisbon man whose greeting kind 
Transforms New York, to me, 

From busy Babel to a place 
Of fountain, flower and tree. 

The Lord have pity on the man 
Who scorns to have a friend ; 

How high his plans, at last they must 
In bad disaster end. 

Napoleonic men may fight 

Their battles all alone. 
But finally a Waterloo 

Their rashness will atone. 



THREE FRIENDS. 75 

Lord grant I learn the useful fact, 

We are by others strong ; 
And they sing sweetest who have heard 

Another sing the song. 



ON A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 

" I ^WO decades bright with blessings since 

We 'gan Hfe's road together, 
And each to other promised faith 
In every sort of weather. 

With gratitude and joy fulness 

At good with which He crowned us, 

We look unto the Father high, 
And thank the friends around us. 

And here with them we offer prayers 
That through each coming season 

Our friends and we abundantly 
Be blest with health and reason. 



ON A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 'J'J 

And, that we have great things to say, 

We're minded first and chiefly, 
The words that speak and reach the heart 

Are spoken plain and briefly. 



'TOO MANY HEARTS ARE SAD TO-NIGHT." 

^ I ^OO many hearts are sad to-night, 
I may not dance to music light. 
They're sad from hunger and from pain, 
And sad from sin's polluting stain. 
Low down in cellars, up the stairs, 
Where freely pass the winter airs ; 
'Neath wretched shed, and in the street, 
Where pelt the piercing storms of sleet, 
Are pallid cheek, and sunken eyes, 
And forms that never more may rise. 
I may not dance to music light, 
Too many hearts are sad to-night. 
But some will wake, if touched aright, 
To noble purpose and brave deed. 



"TOO MANY HEARTS ARE SAD TO-NIGHT. 79 

And grandly with their duty speed, 
Achieving full, complete success. 
While all the world, admiring, bless. 
All this, if, now, one word, aright, 
While you may skip to music light, 
I speak to cheer them for the fight. 
Too many hearts are sad to-night ; 
I may not dance to music light. 



"FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD." 

TT^ROM up-start mayors of little towns, 

With vanity inflated, 
Whose worth, by citizens and self, 
Is vastly overrated ; 

From wordy politicians, bent 

On making a sensation ; 
From new-made agents of the mills 

Who don't deserve the station ; 

From officers who went to war 

To dangle swords about em, 
And eyed the enemy from far. 

But never tried to rout 'em ; 



" FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD. 

Who drew revolvers on their men, 
To bring complete submission, 

But ne'er before the foe assumed 
Belligerent position ; 

From dapper " profs " in charge of schools 

Demanding able teachers ; 
From puppet pulpiters, in place 

Of royal men, for preachers ; 

From consequential merchants, proud 
Of "our superior dry goods ;" 

From those who visit stores to look, 
But never go to buy goods ; 

From men who visit editors 

To teach them journalism, 
6 



82 " FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD." 

Or pelt some rival citizen, 
Or air some social schism ; 

From men imbued with sham refoims, 
A howling round the cities ; 

From other mobilier fuss, 
Or mobilier committees ; 

From men who prove supremely small 
When you expect them royal ; 

From citizens who traitors turn, . 
When they are expected loyal — 

From such as these, good Lord, defend, 

And graciously deliver. 
And send us manly men instead, 

And we will praise thee ever. 



" FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD." 83 

But since at home we're highly blest 

And of such plagues divested, 
I'll say by incidents afar 

These verses were suggested. 

And, while we pray that Heaven may grant 

We have such curses never, 
We'll pity people cursed with them 

In places down the river ! 



A SUNDAY AT BUFFALO. 

T F ever a mortal was worn, 

I found myself so by the lake, 
The very best object on earth 
On which funny verses to make. 



Then luckily thought came of one 

Who gladly would show me his home, 

And deem me unkind not to call, 
And happiness find to say, come. 

By him I was rested and fed 

And treated to many good rhymes, 



A SUNDAV' AT BUFFALO. 85 

Preserved in a scrap book, to keep 
Remembrance of old Yankee times. 

On Sunday we called at a church 

Where trim a sleek preacher stood up 

And talked his pink nothings so soft, 
I prayed the good Lord he would stop ! 

Or turn his attention to hell, 

Say bad men were going straight there, 
And every one needed to mourn. 

And give himself up unto prayer, 

'Twere better than bass-wood and soap 
And soft sighs of sweetness so fine. 

Which the "ton" in their ecstacy said, 

Were "thplendid, and gwand, and diwine ! " 



86 A SUNDAY AT BUFFALO. 

On Monday the " zephyrs " blew bleak 
And cheerfully howled from the lake, 

As forth in good season I drove, 
The 'Lantic express train to take. 



WORDS TO MY WIFE. 

T^EAR wife: amid the work that comes 

My absence to prolong, 
I take this bright and sunny hour 
To rhyme for thee a song, 

And thank thee for thy earnest prayers, 

That God hath answered well, 
In health, and hope, and many joys, 

I have not time to tell ; 

In friends who cheer me at my tasks, 

And pray that God will bless, 
And earnestly and constantly 

Desire me good success ; 



88 WORDS TO MY WIFE. 

In grit to work and to endure, 
And for success to wait ; 

In faith that God will keep me safe 
From every cruel fate ; 

In faith that God is always thine, 
And sends his angels near, 

To guard and guide the darling one 
Who holds my interests dear. 

Pittsfield, September, 1873. 



A MAN OF PROVIDENCE. 

TO REV. E. F. C. 

T N Providence a man so kind, so good, 

So wise, the city seemed correctly named ; 
A man who copied well John Wesley's life, 
And Christ the heavenly master followed well, 
And honored well an ancient order, grand 
With many quiet men, who much have done 
To banish want, and light this darkened world ; 
A man whose heavenly business did not bar 
From frequent trips to glens and breezy hills ; 
A man whose luck with rod and line on lake 
And brook, far up the pleasant Pine Tree State, 
Was known and liked by all his happy flock. 
Would there were more like him to bless the world, 



90 A MAN OF PROVIDENCE. 

And change, or crowd from foothold here below, 

The men who so embitter earth by self, 

And doubt of other men, and hate at sight 

Of their aspiring looks and skyward steps, 

That earth which should be heaven hath very hell 

Wherever their drear, bitter, presence bad 

Is permanent. 



THE "RIVER ROAD."* 

TN joyous spring or winter cold, 

And in the autumn sun, 
The trains upon our northern route 
With good success are run. 

And, bound to Methodistic camp. 

Or going mountainward, 
On picnics bent, or politics. 

The people with accord 

Declare they like the " River Road," 

Its managers and men ; 
And when they wish another ride. 

They'll try that route again. 

, * Connecticut River Railroad. 



THE ALLOPATHS. 

J WISH that all the allopaths 
Had all their sins forgiven, 
And were translated from the earth 
To highest seats in heaven ! 



And all their books of medicine, 
And all the drugs they mix 

Were ferried far, and finally, 
Beyond the river Styx ! 

The pleasant herbs that healthful grow- 
On every happy hill, 

God has ordained to aid the sick. 
And calomel will kill. 



THE ALLOPATHS. 93 

May light be given with coming years, 

And mild " botanies " rule ; 
And only history record, 

There was another school ! 



